System for storing and dispensing fluid pressure mediums



Feb. 15, 1944.

H. c. GRANT, JR 2,341,538 SYSTEM FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FLUIDPRESSURE MEDIUMS Filed June 7, 1941 INVENTOR BY Hazy CG'razzzf r f. WM

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 15, 1944 FFICE SYSTEM FOR STORING AND DISPENSINGFLUID PRESSURE MEDIUMS Harry (J. Grant, Jr., New York, N. Y., assignorto Specialties Development Corporation, Bloomfield, N. 5., a corporationof New Jersey Application June '7, 1941, Serial No. 396,973 Claims. (Cl.116-117) The present invention relates to a system for storing anddispensing a fluid pressure medium, such as liquid carbon dioxide, whichmay be used for extinguishing fires, for inflating flotation bags, foreffecting emergency operation of pressure controlled apparatus and forother purposes. More particularly, the invention relates to a systemcomprising two or more containers of fluid pressure medium adapted to bedischarged simultaneously or successively, wherein an improved valve isprovided for each container which indicates when .the container has beendischarged and also serves to prevent the loss of fluid pressure mediumin the event one or more containers have been removed from the system.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved system forstoring and dispensing a fluid pressure medium.

Another object is to provide a system comprisor other liquid or gaseouspressure medium. The

ing a plurality of containers of fluid pressure medium, each havingavalve operatively associated therewith for permitting removal of one ormore of the containers from the system withfor a systemof the foregoingtypewhich s'erves both as a check valve for preventing loss 'of pressuremedium and also as means for indicating when a container associated withthe valve has been discharged.

A further object is to provide an improved indicator for each containerof a system of the foregoing type which is simple and inexpensive inconstruction, positive in operation, and is adapted to be maintained inindicating position after the pressure medium has been discharged.

Other and further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will beapparent when described in greater detail in connection with theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system for storing and dispensing afluid pressure medium, illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a valve or fittingprovided in the system to serve as an indicator and as means forpercontainers ID, as illustrated herein, are cylinders adapted tocontain gaseous or liquid medium under pressures up to about 2000 poundsper square inch.

Each of the containers 40 has a control head ll attached thereto whichmay include suitable means (not shown) for releasing the pressure mediumby puncturing a disc or opening a valve, normally adapted to close thecontainer. These means are well known in the art to which this inventionrelates and, for example, may comprise a cutter member or a valveoperating member and a cam or piston for actuating such members. By wayof example, the control heads illustrated herein may be of the pistonoperated cutter type having a pipe 82 connected thereto which serves toconduct a fluid pressure medium adapted to move the piston to cause thecutter to puncture the disc sealing the container. It will be understoodthat the cutter may be operated by cams, levers or the like, adapted tobe actuated by a pull cable, or by spring means energized for cutteractuation. Where valves are utilized for closing and opening thecontainers, any suitable valve operating meansmay, be utilized.

Preferably, the container opening or pressure medium releasing means areactuated from a remote location such as an instrument or control panel,and may be operated individually, simultaneously or successively bymanually or automatically operated devices or other improvements wellknown in this art.

The control heads H are each provided with anoutlet M for the pressuremedium. The outlet It may be operativelyconnected by a pipe or flexibleconduit E5 to a conduit or manifold It for conducting the pressuremedium to a point of use. For example, the manifold may be connected toa fire extinguishing system, to aflotation system, to a pressureoperated emergency system or to any apparatus or device adapted to beoperated by a pressure medium.

In accordance with the invention, the manifold has a plurality or aseries or fittings or devices connected therein, corresponding in numberto the number of containers l6 in the system. These fittings are adaptedto visibly indicate when a container or a number of containers ha beendischarged into the manifold to enable an attendant to readily determinewhich containers are empty and must be replaced with containers filledwith pressure medium. The fittings 20 may be further provided with meansfor shutting oiT communication between the manifold and the individualcontainers prior to or afte discharge of the pressure medium from thecontainers, whereby any number of containers may be removed withoutdanger of wasting the pressure medium from other containers in the eventthe system is operated while certain containers have been disconnectedfor testing or replacement.

A fitting 26' is illustrated in detail in Figures 2 and 3, and comprisesa body 2| substantially in the shape of a T having a chamber 22 thereinand provided with an inlet opening 24 and an outlet opening 25 at therespective side branches of the T for connecting the fitting in themanifold by threading pipes or conduits 26 of the manifold into theopenings 24 and 25. The lower branch of the T has a well 21 thereinwhich provides the lower portion of the chamber 22 and is spaceddownwardly and out of the path intermediate the openings 24 and 25. Thebottom of the well 21 is provided with a valve seat 29 for receiving avalve member described hereafter, and has an inlet aperture 30 to whichone of the conduits I5 is adapted to be operatively connected fordischarging the pressure medium from a container into the manifold.

The upper portion of the body 2| of the fitting 20 has a tapped aperture35, preferably in alignment with the valve seat 29 and its inletaperture 30, for receiving a bushing member 36 adapted to support thevalve and indicating devices. The bushing member 36 has an externallythreaded lower portion 31 for screwing it into the tapped aperture 35 ofthe body 2| and above the threaded portion 31 ha a flange 39 adapted tooverlie the body and determine the distance the bushing member can bescrewed into the body; The upper portion 49 of the bushing memberprojects outwardly above the body of th fitting and at its exterior isprovided with a hexagonal or similar contour to facilitate engagement bya wrench or other tool used for securing the bushing member to the body.The upper end of the bushing member has an annular lip 4|, and theinterior of the upper portion 46 of the bushing member is provided witha bore, well or chamber 42, preferably substantially cylindrical incontour.

The bore 42 provides a housing for substantially concealing or renderingan indicator inconspicuous and may be slightly enlarged at its upper endto form a shoulder 44, and may be provided with an annular groove orrecess 45 adjacent its lower end adapted to cooperate with locking meansassociated with the indicator about to be described. The bottom 46 ofthe bore 42 has an aperture 41, and a tapped bore 49 may be provided inthe lower portion 31 of the bushing member beneath. the bottom 46 forthreading therein a plug shaped member 50 havin an aperture 54 inalignment with the aperture 41. The plug member 50 has a reces 5|adjacent the aperture 54 for carrying a packing or sealin gland 52.

The indicator comprises a disc 55 having a depending skirt 56 at itsouter periphery adapted its upper end positioned against the undersideof to extend about and enclose the lip 4| at the upper end of the bushinmember. The disc 55 is attached by means of a. screw 51 or the like. tothe upper end of a stem or rod 59 depending downwardly in the bore 42and extending through the apertures 41 and 54. The screw 51 also servesfor attaching a substantially cylindrical or tubular cap member 60 tothe upper end of the stem, which is formed of slightly resilient sheetmetal or the like. The member 60 is carried by the indicator stem 59 andis adapted to telescope into and be concealed in the bore 42 of thebushin member. Th member 6|! is provided with a substantiallycylindrical depending skirt slotted vertically at circumferentiallyspaced points to provide spring fingers 6l for engagin the side walls ofthe bore 42. Preferab1y,each spring finger is provided with an outwardlyextending rib or projection 62 adapted to fit into the groove or recess45 when the indicator is in its lower position (Figure 2) and abutagainst the shoulder 44 to retain the indicator in indicating position(Figure 3). The disc 55 and the sides of the cap member 60 may beprovided with a contrasting or conspicuous color so as to serve asreadily visible and noticeable indicating means when the indicator is inits upper position.

If desired, one or more of theslots in the skirt of the cap member 60may extend only partially along the length of the skirt andmay be closedat the bottom by a portion 64. The upward movement of the indicator withrespect to bushing member 36 may be then limited by providing one ormore screws 65 extending'radially inwardly into the bore 42 and havingshank portions 66 positioned in the slots and adapted to be en-- gagedby the portions 64 at the bottom of the slots when the cap member 60moves upwardly.

The indicator may be moved into indicating position when a pressuremedium has been discharged through the manifold by operativelyassociating therewith a suitable piston or the like adapted to beoperated in response to the pressuremedium. For example, as illustratedherethe piston may be a valve member 10 carrying a valve disc 1| adaptedto engage the valve seat 29 to close the inlet aperture 30. The valvemember may be operatively connected with the indicator by a stem orshank 12 of the valve member having a bore 14 in the upper portionthereof for slidably receiving a reduced portion 15 of the indicatorstem or rod 59. The upper end or the stem 12 abuts a downwardly facingshoulder 16 on the stem 59 when the indicator is in its lower position(Figure 2), and is adapted to move the indicator stem upwardly when thevalve member is moved upwardly by pressure medium entering the inletaperture 30.

In order to return the valve member to cause the disc 1| to seal theaperture 30, after pressure medium discharged from the container haspassed through the manifold, a cylindrical helical spring 11 istelescoped about the stem 12, having the plug 50 and having its lowerend bearing against the head 19 of the valve member. The spring 11 maybe suitably tensioned to yield when pressure medium is released fromacontainer and conducted to the inlet aperture 30, and to return thevalve member and the valve disc to securely seal the inlet apertureafter the pressure medium In operation of the system, shown in Figure 1,

the indicators are moved into their downward or non-indicating position,as shown in Figure 2, and the valve members are checked to make surethat the apertures 30 are securely sealed to prevent leakage of pressurefrom the manifold.

When the pressure medium is released from one or more containers it isconducted from the discharge outlet M, by the conduit ii, to therespective fitting of the discharging cylinder or cylinders. Thepressure medium upon reaching the inlet aperture is effective to movethe valve member upwardly in opposition to the spring 11, as shown inbroken lines in Figure 3,

. whereupon the pressure medium enters the chamber 22 of the fitting andis conducted to the manifold by the outlet opening'25 through which itpasses to the point of use.

When the valve member III is moved upwardly, the upper end of its stem12, engaging the shoulder 16, moves the indicator stem 59 upwardly,which in turn raises the indicator disc 55 and the cap member 60 intoindicating position, as shown in Figure 3. The portions 66 of the screws65 limit the upward movement of the indicator by engaging the bottomportions 64 of the slots in the cap member and thereby prevent theindicator from being separated from the bushing member 36 in the eventof rapid upward movement of the valve member.

After the pressure medium has passedinto the manifold, the spring I1 iseifective to return the valve disc ll into its lower or inlet sealingposition as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Due to the sliding connectionbetween the stems 59 and 12, provided by the portion 15, slidablyreceived in the bor 14, the indicator will remain its upper orindicating position, serving to indicate that the container connected tothe respective fitting has been discharged. The indicator is retainedand locked against accidental displacement in this position by theprojections 62 on the spring fingers 5| which now engage the shoulders44 to prevent downward movement of the indicator (Figure 3). I

After the system has operated, that is, after one or more containershave been completely discharged, it is desirable to replace the emptycontainers with containers charged with pressure medium. The containersare emptied rap-'- idly once discharge thereof is effected. This takesno more than several minutes, thus assuring complete emptying of adischarged container before any attempt is made to replace the emptycontainer. The attendant can then readily determine which of thecontainers has the valve members 70 securely seal the inlet apertures30.

When the empty containers have been replaced" by full containers and thelatter have been attached to their control heads, the indicators arepushed downwardly into the position shown in Figure 2. Manual pressureon the disc will force the projections 62 off the shoulders 44 anddownwardly to fit into .the recess or groove 45,

which will prevent accidental upward movement of the indicator due tovibrations and shocks.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the presentinvention provides an improved system for storing and dispensing apressure me dium. The invention provides a. manifold or header to whicha bank of containers may be operatively connected, regardless of thetype or style of pressure medium releasing means provided on thecontainers, and regardless of the manner in which the control heads areoperated. The system is therefore suitable for use with existing ornewly designed equipment, and isuniversally adaptable for installationsemploying a plurality or series. of containers. The fittings arerelatively light in weight and are economically manufactured. The partsof the fittings are simple in construction and can be readily assembledin a minimum amount of time. They are rugged in construction and canwithstand any rough usage to which they may be subjected.

While my invention resides in certain princicomprising a body having afluid pressure me dium receiving chamber therein provided with inletmeans for admitting fluid pressure medium and a bore adjacent saidchamber for housing an been discharged and need replacement by notingheader l6 cannot escape or be wasted because indicator, an indicatornormally concealed in said bore and having a stem and a pistonoperatively connected to said stem adapted to be moved by fluid pressuremedium entering said chamber. to

move said indicator out of said bore into indicating position, andoutwardly urged spring means carried by said indicator, said bore ofsaid body having cooperating recess means for receiving portions of saidspring means to lock said indicator in indicating position.

2. A fitting for a system of the class described comprising a bodyhaving a fluid pressure medium receiving chamber therein provided withinlet means for admitting pressure medium and having a bore adjacentsaid chamber for housing an indicator, an indicator normally concealedin said bore and having a stem and a piston operatively connected tosaid stem adapted to be moved by pressure medium entering said chamberto move said indicator out of said bore into indicating position, and asubstantially tubular sleeve connected to and carried by said indicatorhaving a plurality of spring fingers provided with projections, saidboreof said body having cooperating recesses for receiving the projectionsof said spring fingers to lock said indicator in indicating position. v

3. A fitting comprising a substantially T-shapd body having a passageextending therethrough ,valve including a valve member for closingtially concealed provided with an inlet and an outlet for connecting thefitting in a conduit. and having inlet means for operatively connectingsaid passage with a source of fluid pressure medium; a check valveincluding a valve member for closing said inlet means, extendingtransversely spring means for normally urging said valve member intoinlet means closing position; and indicating means including a memberslidably disposed in said body adapted to be moved outwardly withrespect to said body by said valve stem when said valve member is movedaway from its inlet means closing position, means for locking saidindicating means to prevent undesired movement thereof while inindicating position, and means below said locking means for locking saidindicating means to prevent undesired movement thereof while innon-indicating position.

4. A fitting comprising a substantially T-shaped a valve stem for saidvalvemember through said passage, and

stantially concealed in said body having a shank mounted'on said valvestem in telescoping relation to permit said stem to project saidindicating means outwardly of said body into indicating position whensaid valve member is moved into seat opening position and to permit saidstem to move independently of said shank when said valvemember isreturned to its seat closing position; andmeans tor locking saidindicating means in indicating position when said valve member isreturned to its seat closing position.

7. A fitting comprising a body having a passage extending therethrough,provided with an inlet and an outlet for connecting the fltting in bodyhaving a passage extending thereth'rough provided with an inlet and anoutlet for connect said valve member to move ing the fitting in aconduit, and having inlet means for operatively connecting said passagewith a source of fluid pressure medium; a check said inlet means, avalve stem for said valve member extending transversely through saidpassage, and spring means for normally urging said valve member intoinlet means closing position; and indicating means including a memberslidably disposed in said bodyadapted to be moved outwardly with respectto said body by said valve stem when said valve member is moved awayfrom its inlet means closing position, said indicating means beingprovided with cooperating resilient means and recesses for receivingportions of said resilient means to. lock said indicating means toprevent undesired movement thereof while in indicating and nonindicatingpositions.

5. A fitting comprising a body having a, passage extending therethrough,provided with an inlet and an outlet for connecting the fitting in aconduit, and having inlet means for operatively connecting said passagewith a source .of fluid presposition when sure medium, said inlet meansincluding a valve I seat; a valve member for closing said seat of saidinlet means having a valve stem; spring means for normally urging saidvalve member into seat closing position and attached to permit, saidvalve member to move into seat opening position and allow the fluidpressure medium to enter said passage; and indicating means normallysubstanin said body having a shank mounted on said valve stem intelescoping rela' tion to permit said stem to project said indicatingmeans outwardly of said body into indicatin position when said valvemember is moved into seat opening position and to permit said stem tomove independently of said shank when said valve member is returned toits seat closing position.

' 6. A fitting comprising a body having a passage extendingtherethrough, providing with an inlet and an outlet. for connecting thefitting in a conduit, and having inlet means for operatively connectingsaid passage with a source oi fluid pressure medium, said inlet meansincluding a valve seat; a valve member for closing said seat of saidinlet means'having a valve stem; sprin means for normally urging saidvalve member into seat closing position and attached to permit saidvalve member to move into seat opening position and allow the fluidpressure medium to enter said passage; indicating means normally subaconduit, and having inlet means for operatively connecting said passagewith a source of fluid pressure medium, said inlet means including avalve seat; a valve member for closing said seat of said inlet meanshaving a valve stem; spring means ior normallyurging said valve memberinto seat closing position and attached to permit into seat openingposition and allow the fluid pressure medium to enter said passage;indicating means normally substantially concealed in said body having ashank mounted on said valve stem in telescoping relation to permit saidstem to project said indicating means outwardly of said body intoindicating said valve member is moved into seat opening positldn and topermit said stem to 'move independently of said shank when said valvemember is returned to its seat closing position; and means for lockingsaid indicating means in indicating position when said valve member isreturned to its seat closing position, including resilient means andrecess means for receiving said resilient means.

8. A fitting comprising a body having a passage extending therethrough,provided with an inlet and an outlet for connecting the fitting in aconduit, and having inlet means for operatively connecting said passagewith a source of fluid pressure medium, said inlet means including avalve seat; a valve member'for closing said seat of said inlet means;means for normally urging said valve member into seat closing positionand adapted to permit said valve member to move into seat openingposition and allow the fluid pressure medium to enter said passage;indicating means normally substantially concealed in said body, saidindicating means being slidably associated with said valve membertopermit said valve member to project said indicating means outwardly ofsaid body into indicating position when said valve member is moved toseat opening position and to permit said val e member to move into seatclosing position independently thereof;

and means 101' locking said indicating means in indicating positionafter said valve member is again urged into seat closing position, saidlast means'including a plurality of spring fingers carried by saidindicating means and a recess in said body for receiving said fingers.

9. A fitting comprising a body having a, passage extending therethrough,means at the ends of said passage for connecting the fitting in a ing,said indicating means having a stem structurally separate from andadapted to be engaged by the stem of said valve member to project saidindicating means outwardly of said housing when saidvalve member ismoved into inlet means opening position, said indicating means beingunaffected solely by the flow of pressure medium through said passage,and means associated with said indicating means and said housing forlooking said indicating means in outwardly projecting position.

10. A fitting comprising a body having a passage extending therethrough,provided with an inlet and an outlet for connecting the fitting in aconduit, and having inlet means leading into said passage foroperatively connecting said passage with a source of fluid pressuremedium, said body having a housing substantially opposite said inletmeans; a valve member for closing said inlet means; spring means fornormally urging said valve member into inlet means closing position andadapted to yield to pressure medium entering said inlet means to causesaid valve member to move into inlet means opening position and to allowthe pressure medium to enter said passage; indicating means normallysubstantially con.- cealed in said housing, said indicating means beingslidably associated with said valve member to permit said valve memberto project said indicating means outwardly of said housing intoindicating position when said valve member is moved into inlet meansopening position and to permit said valve member to move into inletmeans closing position independently thereof, said indicating meansbeing unaffected solely by the flow of pressure medium through saidpassage; and means for retaining said indicating means in indicatingposition after said valve member is again urged into inlet means closingposition by said spring means.

' HARRY 0. GRANT, JR.

